Today Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger met with the Foreign Minister of Iceland, Mr Össur Skarphédinsson where they discussed matters of mutual interest including the role Geothermal energy plays in the European Union's renewable energy strategy and the way the EU and Iceland, an EU-candidate country and member of the European Economic Area, can cooperate more closely in this field. In addition, Commissioner Oettinger re-affirmed that the Treaties shall not affect a Member State's right to determine the conditions for exploiting its energy resources, its choice between different energy sources and the general structure of its energy supply, noting that upon accession ownership of energy resources continues to rest with the Member States as is covered by article 194 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union.